Together Retro: Eighties' Ladies' Night

[Exhuminator]

Yes it's that time again ladies and ladymen, a new month brings a new Together Retro theme. You didn't want it, you didn't ask for it, but half of you still voted for it anyway; Eighties' Ladies' Night. Ah yes, the '80s. Impending nuclear doom, cocaine 24/7, neon EVERYTHING, and video game sausage parties ruled the day. Or did they? Let's go forward to the past, and investigate just how well women were represented in this medium during that time period. The theme as such is simple. Play a video game(s) from 1980-1989 that stars a female protagonist(s). Then tell us about your experience, and how it made you feel deep inside. I imagine there will be questions, despite how simple this concept is. In that regard, I'll let my old friend Rolf mitigate the FAQ for me. Rolf, take the mic!:

Preapproved E.L.N. games via your friendly curator Exhuminator von RetroNazistein:

THIS LIST IS BY NO MEANS EXHAUSTIVE, I'M SURE TO HAVE MISSED PLENTY OF OTHER QUALIFYING GAMES.

Arcade (MAME)
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (1986) (Play as Stella)
Alien Syndrome (1987) (Play as Mary)
Baraduke (1985) (Play as Toby)
Baraduke II: Bakutotsu Kijutei (1988) (Play as Toby)
Black Widow (1982) (Play as female spider)
Burning Force (1989) (Play as Hiromi)
Cadash (1989) (Play as the female priest)
Cotton (1989) (Play as Cotton)
Darius (1987) (Play as Tiat)
Darius II (1989) (Play as Tiat)
Devil World (Play as Labryna)
Flashgal (1985) (Play as Flash Gal)
Gain Ground (1988) (Play as Betty, Valkyrie, Ham, or Honey)
Gauntlet (1985) (Play as Thyra)
Golden Axe (1989) (Play as Tyris Flare)
Ladybug (1981) (Play as ladybug)
Lady Master of Kung Fu (1985) (Play as Lady)
Legendary Wings (1986) (Play as Michelle)
Marchen Maze (1988) (Play as Alice)
Momoko 120% (1986) (Play as Momoko)
Ms. Pac-Man (1981) (Play as Ms. Pac-Man)
Ms. Pac-Man Plus (1981) (Play as Ms. Pac-Man)
Plus Alpha (1989) (Play as Selia or Rumy)
Pooyan (1982) (Play as Mother Pig)
Psycho Soldier (1986) (Play as Athena)
Rampage (1988) (Play as Lizzie)
Soldier Girl Amazon / Sei Senshi Amatelass (1986) (Play as Mighty Fighting Amazon)
The Return of Ishtar (1986) (Play as Ki)
Time Gal (1985) (Play as Reika)
Tropical Angel (1983) (Play as female water skiier)
UFO Senshi Youko-chan (1988) (Play as Youko-chan)
Wonder Momo (1987) (Play as Momo)
Xenophobe (1987) (Play as Dr. Udderbay)

Atari 2600
Ghost Manor (1983) (Play as female character choice)
Kangaroo (1982) (Play as Mother Kangaroo)
Lady Bug (1981) (Play as Lady Bug)
Rampage (1988) (Play as Lizzie)

Atari Lynx
Rampage (1988) (Play as Lizzie)

Commodore 64
Annaconda (1988) (Play as Annaconda)
Bionic Granny (1984) (Play as Granny)
Cauldron (1985) (Play as the witch)
Cauldron II: The Pumpkin Strikes Back (1986) (Play as the witch)
Dragons of Flame (1989) (Play as Goldmoon)
Heroes of the Lance (1988) (Play as Goldmoon)
Golden Axe (1989) (Play as Tyris Flare)
Gnome Ranger (1987) (Play as Ingrid)
Horror City (1989) (Play as Sinclair)
Ingrid's Back (1987) (Play as Ingrid)
Legend of the Amazon Women (1986) (Play as Lady Wilde)
Lode Runner's Rescue (1985) (Play as Alexandra)
Mad Nurse (1986) (Play as nurses)
Mermaid Madness (1986) (Play as Myrtle)
Murder on the Zinderneuf (1983) (Play as Charity or Agatha)
Phantis (1987) (Play as Major Locke)
Plundered Hearts (1987) (play as nameless female protagonist)
Rampage (1988) (Play as Lizzie)
Return to Eden (1984) (Play as Kim)
Saboteur II: Avenging Angle (1987) (Play as Nina)
Snowball (1983) (Play as Kim)
The Mystery of the Nile (1987) (Play as Christine / Janet)
The Worm in Paradise (1985) (Play as Kim)
Times of Lore (1988 original release date) (Play as The Valkyrie)
Turbo Girl (1988) (Play as Turbo Girl)
Vixen (1988) (Play as Vixen)

DOS
Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax (1988) (Play as Princess Mariana)
Dragons of Flame (1989) (Play as Goldmoon)
Heroes of the Lance (1988) (Play as Goldmoon)
Golden Axe (1989) (Play as Tyris Flare)
Gnome Ranger (1987) (Play as Ingrid)
Ingrid's Back (1987) (Play as Ingrid)
Jenny of the Prairie (1984) (Play as Jenny)
King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella (1988) (Play as Princess Rosella)
Laura Bow: The Colonel's Bequest (1989) (Play as Laura)
Leisure Suit Larry III (1989) (Play as Passionate Patty)
Plundered Hearts (1987) (play as nameless female protagonist)
Rampage (1988) (Play as Lizzie)
Saboteur II: Avenging Angel (1987) (Play as Nina)
The Great Giana Sisters (1987) (Play as either sister whatever)
Times of Lore (1988 original release date) (Play as The Valkyrie)
Vixen (1988) (Play as Vixen)

Famicom (most of these have English fan translations)
Apple Town Monogatari: Little Computer People (1987) (Play as the girl)
Attack Animal Gakuen (1987) (Play as Nokko)
City Connection (1985) (Play as Claris)
Gall Force: Eternal Story (1986) (Play as Solnoid officer)
Kai no Bouken (The Quest of Ki) (1988) (Play as Ki)
Layla (1986) (Play as Layla)
Mother (1989) (Play as Anna)
Mugen Senshi Valis (1987) (Play as Valis)
Salamander (1987) (Best ending reveals Vic Viper is a FEMALE pilot.)
Space Hunter (1986) (Play as Altiana)
Sylviana (AKA Silviana): Adventurer Full of Love (1988) (Play as Sylviana)
The Wing of Madoola (1986) (Play as Lucia)
Titantic Mystery: Ao no Senritsu (1987) (Play as Momoko, Mareen, or Reika)
Valkyrie no Boken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu (1986) (Play as Valkyrie)
Wai Wai World (1988) (Play as Konami Lady)
Yume Kojou: Doki Doki Panic (1987) (Play as Mama or Lina)

FM7
Alpha (1986) (Play as Chris)
Hayato (1987) (Play as Leaza)
Cosmo Saint Leaza (Play as Leaza)

FM-TOWNS
The 4th Unit series (1987-1990) (Play as Blon-Win)

MSX
Aleste 2 (1989) (Play as Ellinor)
Cabbage Patch Kids (1984) (Play as Cabbage Girl)
Mugen Senshi Valis II (1989) (Play as Valis)
Otenba Becky no Daibouken (1983) (Play as Becky)
Queen's Golf (1985) (Play as female athlete)
Psychic World AKA Psycho World (1988) (Play as Lucia)
Sabrina (1989) (Play as Sabrina)
Turbo Girl (1988) (Play as Turbo Girl)
Undeadline (1989) (Play as Ruika)
War of the Dead (1987) (Play as Laila)

NES
Athena (1986) (Play as Athena)
Dragons of Flame (1989 original release date) (Play as Goldmoon)
Dragon Warrior II (1987) (Play as Princess of Moonbroke)
Faria - A World of Danger and Mystery! (1989 Japan) (Play as female soldier {name?})
Final Fantasy II (1988) (Play as Maria)
Friday The 13th (1989) (Play as Chrissy)
Gauntlet (1987) (Play as Thyra)
Ghost Lion (1989 Japan) (Play as Maria)
Heroes of the Lance (1988 original release date) (Play as Goldmoon)
Ice Climber (1985) (Play as Nana)
Legacy of the Wizard (1989) (Play as Meyna or Lyll)
Maniac Mansion (1988 Japan) (Play as Wendy or Razor)
Metroid (1987) (Play as Samus)
Rampage (1988) (Play as Lizzie)
Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988) (Play as Princess Peach)
The Guardian Legend (1988) (Play as Milia)
Times of Lore (1988 original release date) (Play as The Valkyrie)

PC-98
Atlantia (1988) (Play as Erina)
Majoriko: Inbikai (1989) (Play as Majoriko)
Pink Shock Pirates (1989) (Play as Pink)

SEGA Game Gear
Psychic World AKA Psycho World (1988 original release date) (Play as Lucia)

SEGA Genesis/Megadrive
Burning Force (1989 original release date) (Play as Hiromi)
Gain Ground (1988 original release date) (Play as Betty, Valkyrie, Ham, or Honey)
Golden Axe (1989) (Play as Tyris Flare)
Phantasy Star II (1989) (Play as Nei, Amy, Anna, Shir)
Sword of Sodan (1988 original release date) (Play as Shardan)

SEGA Master System
Alien Syndrome (1988) (Play as Mary)
Gain Ground (1988 original release date) (Play as Betty, Valkyrie, Ham, or Honey)
Golden Axe (1989) (Play as Tyris Flare)
Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord (1988) (Play as Medi)
Phantasy Star (1988) (Play as Alis)
Psychic World AKA Psycho World (1988) (Play as Lucia)
Quartet (1987) (Play as Mary)
Rampage (1988) (Play as Lizzie)
Sukeban Deka II: Shoujo Tekkamen Densetsu (1987) (Play as Suki)
Summer Games (1988) (Play gymnastics section?)
Undeadline (1989) (Play as Ruika)
Zillion (1987) (Play as Apple)
Zillion II (1988) (Play as Apple)

SEGA SG-1000
Girl's Garden (1984) (Play as Papri)
Ninja Princess (1986) (Play as Kunoichi)

TurboGrafx-16/PCE
Cadash (1989) (Play as the female priest)
Dungeon Explorer (1989) (Play as Witch or Princess)
Kaizo Chojin Schbibinman (1989 PCE) (Play as Kyapiko)
War of the Dead (1987 PCE) (Play as Laila)
Wonder Momo (1987 PCE) (Play as Momo)

If I screwed up anywhere in that list, blame the Magic 8 Ball. It told me everything was correct.

EDIT:

PresidentLeever offered a very useful link for finding games for this TR:

http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/pro ... 900/so,1d/

[alienjesus]

I've got big plans for this months theme - 5 games are on my list, 3 of which are very strictly within the rules, and 2 of which are more 'bonus games'. Of course I intend to play the 3 that fit the theme best first, so please don't be upset by my more unorthodox choices Ex!

Game 1:

Legacy of the Wizard


I'm pretty apprehensive about this one as it seems rough around the edges, but it's time to give it a bash. 2 of the 5 playable characters are ladies, and from my understanding they're generally better than the dudes - although all 5 characters are required to beat the game.

Game 2:

Valkyrie No Densetsu


This one I know is pretty good, but I've also seen that it can be quite challenging. The PC Engine port that I'll be playing came out in 1990, but the arcade original was 1989 so it just about makes the cut!

Game 3:

Earthbound Beginnings/Mother


This is one I'm more keen to play this month, but seeing as only 1 of the 4 main characters is a girl, I decided to put it slightly lower priority than the others. I hear this one is excruciatingly grindy - it seems like it might be a challenging month for me!

Game 4 (first bonus game):

The Legend of Zelda (starring Zelda)


Yeah, here's where I'm starting to mix things up a bit. This is a patch you can apply to a Legend of Zelda rom which lets you play the game as Zelda and rescue Link. Assuming I can get it working on my Retron 5, I plan to take another run through the first game from a slightly different perspective.

Game 5 (second bonus game):

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap


Ok, this is the biggest technicality around, which is why I plan to play it last, but here are some facts:
1. Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap was released in 1989
2. A modern remake of the game was released last year
3. The modern remake lets you play as 'Wonder Girl'
4. The Modern remake lets you play with retro graphics

Based on these facts you can see where I'm going - I plan to play the remake of this game with retro graphics as Wonder Girl! You can play as a girl, and it's a version of an 80s game...it's just that you couldn't actually play as a girl in the 80s. It's kinda like...retrospectively retro...

[dsheinem]

What can I play for this month on PSVR?

[BoneSnapDeez]

Whoa nice first post, Ex.

I'm probably going to start with Valkyrie no Bouken on Famicom. After that, I'm wide open. This challenge prompted me to purchase six oldies with female protagonists (from Japan, the games aren't here yet). No way I'll get to all them this month, but this theme got me a little excited, to say the least. Interesting to see what everyone else plays.

@aj
Most patches that work on a PC will work on the Retron 5. Some just need tweaking. Link me (haha) to the one you're considering.

[noiseredux]

I actually started Phantasy Star II last night. Of course it being Phantasy Star, really most of what I did was grind outside of the first village for a half hour. Got Rolf (lvl4) and Nei (lvl7) some new weapons and visited that burnt down town. Came back and got a third party member - the dude w/ the gun, blanking on his name. And then wandered off to do some more grinding before I'm ready to actually hit up the first proper 'dungeon.' So not a whole lot of progress yet, but again - this is the start of a Phantasy Star game, so it's all about the slow-grind.

Here's Nei in action:




@AJ: That Dragon's Trap/Wonder Girl thing is awesome.

[dunpeal2064]

That first post is so quality it hurts.

I plan to make wrongs right and finally play through The Guardian Legend this month. I think I can squeeze in some other games, but we'll start with one for now.

What can I play for this month on PSVR?

Hook it up to your PC (doable now, go modders), boot up Dolphin VR, and play Metroid on the VC.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Good luck to you, noise. That game is grindy throughout. I've actually only beaten the handheld ports (GBA, PSP) as I had the luxury of passively grinding while watching TV or whatever. I think I have like 2 or 3 aborted Genesis attempts.

[Nemoide]

My free gaming-time is limited; I'm still trying to finish a couple other games and have a daily regiment of Beatmania IIDX and DDR training I try to stick to.

BUT I think this is a cool theme, so I want to participate even if my picks will be obvious ones.
1) Metroid (NES) - I've popped in the cartridge and fooled around but never made a serious go at trying to beat it. I expect to be looking at a walkthrough.
2) Athena (NES) - I'm not going to try to BEAT this game, and will readily admit that it's terrible, but it's one I have a weird soft spot for. Probably my favorite 8-bit kusoge.
3) Psycho Soldier (PSP) - I've played through it before and might as well give it another go - it doesn't take much to beat it on PSP. I *love* the theme song and wish I had the Japanese cassette of it.

[noiseredux]

Good luck to you, noise. That game is grindy throughout. I've actually only beaten the handheld ports (GBA, PSP) as I had the luxury of passively grinding while watching TV or whatever. I think I have like 2 or 3 aborted Genesis attempts.

Oh, I'm not worried. I beat the original which is certainly grindy, and loved every moment. Plus, I technically can play this "portably" while watching TV via my Windows tablet/Xbox One streaming.

I should note that I have a bit of history with the second Phantasy Star. I started playing it about five years ago, and was super into it and then someone spoiled a pretty major thing that hadn't happened in the game for me yet, and I acted like a giant baby and stopped playing it. So I've always wanted to fix that.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Yes. Great theme. Those of you who haven’t played The Guardian Legend, Maniac Mansion, Metroid, and Phantasy Star need to do so. I’m going to play Legacy of the Wizard (with a walkthrough so I actually get through it this time) and Legend of the Ghost Lion. (I’d love to play the old FMV Time Gal game, but I don’t have a good way to play it...) These games will be a nice break from my slog through the Adventure Island series.

Also...my wife has very fond memories of Plundered Hearts (PC). It is an old text parser and one of the only video games her family owned when she was a kid.